Connor Hellebuyck didn’t play in his return to Winnipeg as an exceedingly-bizarre statement issued by New Jersey Devils general manager (GM) Sunny Mehta said that playing the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and one-time Hart Trophy winner would somehow potentially give them “a reduction in our expected win probability.”
While Winnipeg Jets fans were disappointed that their former goaltender wasn’t between the pipes to face their ire — ire he brought upon himself by refusing to honour his contract forcing a trade out of town — it didn’t stop them from coming up with a bunch of creative chants aimed squarely at the man who just a few years ago spoke of being a Jet for life.
Hellebuyck didn’t play against the Jets in his return to Winnipeg as a member of the Devils. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the top ones that The Hockey Writers heard rain down from the rowdy and sold-out Canada Life Centre stands Tuesday evening as their team battled to a 4-2 victory.
Coward!
Other than loud boos, this is what Hellebuyck heard most throughout the warmup, which was far more well-attended than usual.
The warmup was the only time Hellebuyck was seen all evening as he hid away in a video room during the game rather than sitting at the end of the bench in a ball cap like just about every other backup goalie in just about every level of hockey.
Where Is Connor/Where is Helle/Helle’s Hiding!
With Hellebuyck not in the crease or on the bench to start the game, “Where is Connor” chants were inevitable after opening puck drop.
All three variations of the chant recurred through the night.
Dawson’s Better/Dawson Mercer/Mercer’s Better!
Of course, the Dawson in question is Dawson Mercer, one of the key pieces in the trade return. The 25 year old beat Jake Allen in the mid first period to open the scoring, cueing the first instance of these chants.
The “Dawson’s Better” chant returned even louder in the third after he scored the go-ahead — and eventual game-winning —goal on the power play in the third.
“It wasn’t just an average game or an an ordinary game for those two,” head coach Scott Arniel said of Mercer and Nico Daws, the former Devils goalie also acquired in the trade who got the start and made 19 saves on 21 shots. “They were fired up and they wanted to put their best foot forward and they both did. They were both outstanding.”
Trump’s Your Daddy!
A reference to the erratic, Canada-threatening U.S. President Donald Trump, who Hellebuyck visited at the White House — much to the chagrin of Jets fans — to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom after the U.S. 2026 Olympic hockey team won the gold medal.
He’s Gone Fishing/You Can’t Fish Here!
Both references to Hellebuyck’s favourite hobby. Probably spurred on by the fact he mentioned how much he loved Manitoba’s lakes and fishing before he even thanked a single person in his letter to Jets fans from Nov. 4.
Face the Music!
A reference to Hellebuyck claiming that he wanted to play in the game to “face the music” but that his request to start was denied by Mehta.
Signed in Pencil!
A reference to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said in August Trump’s signature was “written in pencil.” Trump has rescinded trade deals and applied whim-based tariffs on Canada, while Hellebuyck fulfilled just two years of the seven-year deal he signed in 2023 to be a “Jet for life.”
Arniel & Jets Players Acknowledge Outstanding Fan Energy
“Not too often the building is rocking in warmup and right from the drop of the puck,” Arniel said postgame. “I just really like the way guys recognized the two points were extremely important.”
“We weren’t sure how this was going to all play out. At the end of the day it was a fun building, it was a loud building, and we got the two points, which is important,” he continued.
“I think obviously the energy was pretty crazy, especially how we finished the game, we came back in the third period, which was nice,” Mercer, who has three goals and three assists in nine games as a Jet, said.
“And then the chants were pretty special. I haven’t heard that before, so that was good.”
Winnipeg Jets center Dawson Mercer (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
“As the home team, you can definitely feel the energy pushing behind you, and it was pretty nice tonight,” he continued.
“It was loud,” Daws said. “Warmups were crazy. The fans here are awesome. Before I came here I’ve never been here before so it was my first few times seeing it and it’s a great atmosphere.”
“They care a lot about hockey here and they care a lot about the team,” he continued. “It’s fun. It’s fun to be a part of it and it makes you want to battle that extra little bit every night for them.”
The Jets, now winners of four straight, will hit the road to face the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Those looking a bit further down the calendar will notice they visit New Jersey on Nov. 28: Will their old teammate have to face the music then? We’ll see. This storyline is not over yet.
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